USA Olympic baseball team aims for gold in Beijing

(BEIJING, July 17) -- All but one of the 24 members of the USA Olympics-bound baseball team have been selected, according to a report on the official website of USA Baseball.

The USA national baseball team was the gold medalist at the 2000 Olympic champions, but didn't qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games. Yet the team aims to grab the crown this year in Beijing.

USA Baseball executive director/CEO Paul Seiler was quoted on the official website of Major League Baseball as saying: "We are proud of the ball club we have assembled. The team is strong from top to bottom, and we are confident it will succeed in Beijing. We applaud our coaching staff and selection committee for their tireless work in putting together an excellent team."

The main rival of the USA in Olympics baseball is Cuba, a three-time Olympic gold medalist since baseball became a medal sport in 1992.

USA Baseball team:

Pitchers: Brett Anderson, Jake Arrieta, Trevor Cahill, Geno Espineli, Kevin Jepsen, Brandon Knight, Mike Koplove, Blaine Neal, Clayton Richard, Jeff Stevens, Stephen Strasburg, Casey Weathers

Infielders: Brian Barden, Matthew Brown, Jason Donald, Mike Hessman, Terry Tiffee

Outfielders: Dexter Fowler, John Gall, Matt LaPorta, Colby Rasmus

Catchers: Lou Marson, Taylor Teagarden